Quick Answer
Figurative Language on the Digital SAT refers to words or phrases used beyond their literal definitions to create specific effects. Typically appearing in the Craft and Structure domain, these devices help authors convey tone or complex ideas. Students encounter these most frequently in literary prose and poetry passages throughout both Reading and Writing modules.
Figurative language is the use of words in non-literal ways to achieve a stylistic or rhetorical effect, such as through comparisons or exaggerations. It functions by deviating from standard denotations to imply deeper meanings or emotional resonances through devices like metaphors and similes.
Question: In a poem, the author describes the fog as 'creeping on cat feet.' What is the primary purpose of this figurative language? (A) To suggest the fog is a physical animal. (B) To emphasize the silent and subtle movement of the weather. (C) To indicate the presence of pets. (D) To show the fog is dangerous. Solution: (B). The metaphor compares the fog's movement to a cat's stealthy gait to highlight its quiet nature, rather than suggesting a literal animal presence.
Literalism: Treating metaphors or idioms as factual statements, leading to incorrect inferences about the physical reality of the passage.
Misidentifying Tone: Confusing hyperbole with literal urgency or irony with simple disagreement, which skews the interpretation of the author's attitude.
Over-analysis: Assigning profound symbolic meaning to every adjective when the SAT often seeks the most direct figurative interpretation supported by the text.
Students targeting 750+ should know that the Digital SAT often uses figurative language in 'Words in Context' questions where the correct answer choice is a literal synonym that captures the non-literal intent of the original phrase.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two seemingly different things to highlight a shared characteristic. On the Digital SAT, analogies typically appear within the Reading and Writing section, specifically in 'Rhetorical Synthesis' or 'Craft and Structure' questions. Students must often identify how an author uses an analogy to clarify a complex scientific or literary concept.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration used for rhetorical emphasis rather than literal truth. On the Digital SAT, this figurative device typically appears in the Reading and Writing section, specifically within Craft and Structure questions. It is a frequent tool in literary passages used to establish a character's intense emotional state or tone.
Irony
Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning differs from the literal expression. On the Digital SAT, this concept typically appears in the Reading and Writing section, specifically within Craft and Structure questions. It is frequently tested through poems or prose where an author’s tone contradicts the surface-level narrative.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary device that compares two unrelated things by stating one is the other. On the Digital SAT, metaphors frequently appear in the Reading and Writing section, particularly within 'Words in Context' or 'Craft and Structure' questions. Students typically encounter these figures of speech in literary prose and poetry passages.
Simile
A simile is a comparison using 'like' or 'as' to link two distinct ideas. On the Digital SAT, similes typically appear within the Reading and Writing section, specifically in 'Craft and Structure' questions. Understanding this figurative language helps students analyze an author’s purpose and tone in literary passages.
Figurative language on the Digital SAT involves the use of rhetorical devices like metaphors and similes to convey meaning beyond literal definitions. These elements are most common in the Craft and Structure questions of the Reading and Writing section. Understanding these devices allows students to interpret the author's tone and the nuances of literary passages, which is essential for scoring well on complex text analysis.
To identify figurative language, look for comparisons using 'like' or 'as' in similes, exaggerations in hyperbole, or words that seem out of place if taken literally. On the SAT, ask yourself if the author is describing a physical reality or using a mental image to evoke a feeling. Identifying the relationship between the literal object and the figurative comparison is key to determining the intended meaning.
While both enhance writing, figurative language uses specific rhetorical devices like metaphors to create non-literal meaning, whereas imagery focuses on descriptive language that appeals to the five senses. On the SAT, figurative language often serves as the mechanism for creating imagery. For example, a metaphor might be used to create a visual picture of a character's internal emotional state or a setting's specific atmosphere.
Students can typically expect to encounter approximately 2 to 5 questions per exam that directly or indirectly involve figurative language. These are most often found in the 'Craft and Structure' and 'Information and Ideas' categories. While not every passage uses complex metaphors, being able to decode non-literal phrasing is crucial for navigating the more challenging literary prose and poetry excerpts found in both Reading modules.
